Bolivar Peninsula A Great Place to Recharge and Enjoy

The weather has been beautiful and with daylight savings we have more time to enjoy being out and about.

A great place to enjoy is the Bolivar Peninsula. Bolivar Peninsula, named for the South American hero Simón Bolívar, is a “barrier island” stretching 27 miles along the Texas Gulf.

To get there from Galveston, you get a free cruise provided by the State of Texas and it takes approximately 18 minutes to cross one of the busiest waterways in the world.

Once in Bolivar there is a lot to explore. Surf, sand, birds, wildlife, a bit of history, a lot of leisure, very little high-speed modern culture and who knows you might want to purchase a first or second home and stay forever.

The Realtors in Bolivar are valued members of GAR and would love to help you. Old Fort Travis Seashore State Park is located near the ferry landing. here is excellent fishing along the rocky shore and picnic areas are available with benches and cooking facilities. It’s a great place to relax and watch the ships in the Bolivar Roads on the way to or from Houston.

You can’t miss the most prominent landmark on the peninsula, the Bolivar Light House. Once a vital guide to shipping, the light house is now privately owned and it stands alongside the highway. Built in 1860 of brick and clad in iron, the old structure not only guided countless ships to safe harbor but has itself been a lifesaver during hurricanes. The peninsula has some excellent fishing, good areas to go crabbing and world renown bird sanctuaries.

The Houston Audubon Society has recorded 344 species of birds there. he entire length of the peninsula from High Island to Horseshoe Marsh, near the lighthouse and ferry landing has been called a birding paradise.

Many of the events that take place on the peninsula are because of the efforts of he Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation that formed in 2006. It has been active in bringing recognition to the long history and strong, resilient spirit of the Bolivar Peninsula. The mission of the Foundation is to “preserve and honor the art, history and music of a vital community” has been specifically accomplished through the story of Jane Long, the Mother of Texas. The Foundation sponsors many events for the community throughout the year. heir next event is a trip to the High Island rookery at the Houston Audubon Bird Sanctuary. It will be held on Tuesday, April 21 at 4 p.m. and will be guided by Winnie Burkett, biologist and Houston Audubon Society stalwart. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, Swede’s Real Estate or the day of the event.

May events include: An art show for local artists, craters, quilters and photographers to be held at Steve’s Landing Restaurant, located on Bay Vue Road of Hwy. 87 in Crystal Beach. The event is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday May 16. Also happening in May are, the 30th anniversary Crab Festival held Mother’s Day weekend and the Texas Frog Fest held Memorial Day weekend between Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar. It benefits the Lone Survivor Retreat Facility in Crystal Beach.

The Bolivar’s Foundation’s premier event of the year is the Jane Long Festival held Saturday, Oct. 10 at Fort Travis Seashore Park. A highlight of the festival is a humorous play “Pirates and Petticoats” spotlighting important events in Jane Long’s life while on Bolivar Peninsula. Vendors sell local art, crafts, jewelry and food. The free festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information can be found by emailing Charlotte Stirling, president, at cstirling54@ gmail.com.

Don’t forget to catch a beautiful sunset on Galveston Bay while riding the ferry. Another reason those of us lucky enough to live by the sea are lucky enough!